From Maen Llhwyd we took the direction to Bodowyr which gave us an opportunity of seeing Tre Fwry the field in which the Roman coins were dug up. Four or five circular buildings may here be traced close to the brook Briant.
I believe that most of the stones that form the wall round the field were taken from this spot. Having taken a rough sketch of the place we proceeded on to Bodowyr. In a stubble field rather to the westward of the house we noticed some foundations of buildings covering about an acre of ground. The country people have a tradition that a large town once stood here but so many of the stones have been removed to clear the ground it is impossible to form any idea respecting it.
Proceeding across the fields for three [30a] miles to the north west we came to a farm house called Fron Dûg [30b] where we had been directed to enquire for a stone (fol. 54) with an inscription now employed as a gatepost on the premises. We soon found the spot and we endeavoured to trace the rude characters with as much care as possible. I imagine the stone was intended for a boundary and that the VI and the letters underneath refer to some measurement of property. The other part I think is more intelligible and thus read Mad. Filius Lluricini erexit hunc lapidem.
The farmer living on the spot gave a curious account of the stone having once been taken away to be employed in building a limekiln by a person in the neighbourhood but he added with great earnestness that nothing succeeded with him till he had again restored it to its place. It now forms a gate post though the gate is hung on the opposite side of the way. We here separated from the good natured lad who had attended us so many miles and finding him superior to any pecuniary recompence I gave (fol. 54a) him a silk handkerchief from my neck which he says he shall keep as long as he lives. Before he left us he made interest at a farm house for horses to carry us over Malltreath [32a] a swampy flat covered by the sea at high tides. However we passed without difficulty pushing straight forwards towards a village church called Treasdreath [32b] and passed a large stone called Maen hîr. From hence leaving Mr. Meyrick’s house a large mansion to the left we made the best of our way to Llancadwaladr church about two miles distant. We had noted down this place from Mr. Rowlands on account of an ancient inscription placed there by Cadwalader last king of the Britons to commemorate Catamanus or Catwallon his grandfather. The characters are very deeply cut on a stone above four feet long forming the lintern to the doorway of the church and is read Catamanus Rex sapientissimus opinatissimus omnium (fol. 58) regum. This Cadfan or Catamanus according to Mr. Rowlands was chosen King of the Britons anno six hundred and thirteen and is said to have been buried in the Isle of Bardsey but in Sir John Wynne’s pedigree we find an account of a Cadwallader of a much later date he being brother of Owen Gwynnedd stiled king of Wales. Whether this was the person who founded the church or whether it was built as Mr. Rowlands says prior to that period the Welsh historians must determine. I only hint this because I found nothing in the structure of the building to corroborate so remote an antiquity as the chief window to the east appears to be about the time of Henry the seventh or eighth and on it is some painted glass in the characters of that age (fol. 58a). A chapel attached to the north side of the church was built anno sixteen hundred sixty six by dame Owen as we learnt by the following inscription over the doorway. This chapel was built by Anne Owen widdowe, daughter and inheretrix of Richard Williams of Llasdûlas [34] Esqre according to the direction of her deare husband Hugh Owen Esqre sixteen hundred sixty one. Under some arms painted on the glass of the chapel was, appointed by her deare husband Hugh Owen sonne and heir of Will Owen of Bodowen Esqre and erected by his dear wife Anne.
